Construction of terrazzo and like floors



June 30, 1936. H. F. wu-:GER 2,945,936

CONSTRUCTION OF TERRAZZO AND LIKE FLOORS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 20, 1952 il y l BY vf l i ATToRNE INVENTOR Jun@ 30, 1936. H. F. WIEGER 2,045,936

CONSTRUCTION OF TERRAZZO AND LIKE FLOORS Filed May 20, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v M 15V N m11 E @j /5/6 /5 #e9/17.277477 ENTORV BY @Mfg-M ATTO RNEYfS' Patented June 30, 1936 PATENT oFFicE CONSTRUCTION OF TERRAZZO AND LIKE. FLOORS "HenryFr Wieger, Detroit, Mich., assignor of one- `hall to Anthony CaScanLQDetroit, Mich.

Application May 20,;1932, Serial-No. 612,545

4 Claims.

This'invention relates -toan improved process of and means for constructing terrazzo and like floors, and has for one of its objects the `provision oa novel andv simplied method of laying such oorsas .will save both time andmaterial in their construction.

The present almost universal methods of laying terrazzo and similar floors over concrete consists of either laying a thin'layerof sand directly on the concrete; then-.placing tar paper over the sand bed; :then laying: an underbed of cement and vcoarse sand; to a depth l.of approximately two inches, inthe upperportion of which underbed is permanently secured brass.y z divider strips;v then laying the terrazzo toppingto a depth of approximately ethree-fourths inch upon the cement underbed, or whenpossible, omitting the sand .bed and ,tar paper and -directlybonding thecement underbed to the top of the concrete, in which cement underbedthebrass*divider strips are permanently secured, and then ,applyingfthe terrazzo V topping directly to the cement underbed. HrIhe topl of the `cement underbed mustrbe smoothV and the vbrass `divider strips sunk thereinto exact levels before the terrazzotopping is applied.

"My new method of construction provides for elimination of the cement underbed, as well as .ofythe sand bed and tar paper, when the first mentioned method was utilized, and in addition to the consequent savingof material and labor, there is also, a considerable saving of time heretofore required for thesettingof the cement fill and for properly locating the `divider strips in the cement fill. VAtleastone or two days time is saved `under mymethod. `This saving in .time and material more than oisets the .cost of the leveling strip utilized in myimproved method, and which was not used in the old` methods. Moreover, by eliminating vthe cement .underbed the dead; weight on the sub-floor is .considerably lessened. In a multiple story building Athis ,is .an important ffactor, as it, notonlysaves the cost and handling of bulky material but. permits the use of lighter vdesign for framework-andsupports.

1 1n uti-lizing'my improved. methodof` constructing terrazzo and like floors, the concrete. may be left in -merely a iloatnisn, the unevenness of its surface `being immateral.` -Directly to this concreteisapplied a thin cushion coat of. emulsied` asphalt, which serves in part to ll unevenness fin; the; concretey floor; vthen uponfthe` plastic cush- 4ion coat arela'id flexible .levelinglstrips having central .slots `formed .by .intermittently {strikving, up lugsdof :metal-:fromithe sidesllof the levelupper edge. vThe terrazzo topping or thelike l0 vis then placed in the usual vmanner between the vertical divider strips directlyuponthe upper surface of the cushion coat. The divider strips are placed at predetermined distances apart, or

so as to for-m desired configurations in the finished 15.

floor. "The -cushion coat of emulsied asphalt or like material serves not only to. eliminate the cementll heretofore employed, but also enables the terrazzo topping ornished surfacezto .expand and contract independently of the concrete Subfloor. The 'cushion coat keeps cracks that .originate in the sub-floor from continuing through to the finished wearing surface, due to the fact that the two surfaces are not bonded together as under the old method. Moreover, the cushion coat acts as a shock absorber when heavy objects are dropped or Vrolled over the wearing. surface, and also enables the expanding orcontracting of individual panels of Ythefloor or of portions of the floor without cracking, since the plastic cushion coat will give under such expansive. or contractivemovements and enable. movements of thedividing strips, which under my method are notfpermanently secured in an underbed of concrete orgthe like.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from.: the following description, wherein reference lis made to the following drawings and wherein similar reference numerals e designate similar parts throughout the several views.

- In fthe drawings:

YFigure 1 is a fragmentary perspective View vof .a terrazzo oor constructed in, accordanceA with my invention, with parts broken away to show the respective layers; Y

vFigure 2 is a fragmentaryA plan view of crossed levelingstrips ,and divider strips;

Figure 3. is a fragmentary sectionvthroughthe floor shown inz Figure 1,1with parts broken away;

.Figure 4 is a.view similar to Figure 3but Vwith .leveling strips `and-cushion coating applied in an alternativemanner;

.Figure 5isla-fragmentaryplan -view of a terrazzo loorf constructed in accordance with my invention but utilizing a different form of leveling strips;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a leveling strip utilized in Figure 5, with a portion of a divider strip in position thereon;

Figure 7 is a plan View partly in section, and Figure 8 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a structure similar to that shown in Figure 6, but provided with a further modified form of leveling strip;

Figure 10 is a plan view partly in section7 of the structure shown in Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is a detail cross-section taken substantially on the line I I-I I of Figure 9.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral I I designates a portion of a sub-oor formed of concrete or other suitable material and upon which it is desired to lay a terrazzo topping or wearing surface in order to increase its beauty and wearing qualities. It is to be understood that my improved terrazzo flooring is adapted to be laid over any suitable underflooring, and that the concrete floor II is here shown only by way of example, inasmuch as it is generally admitted that ordinary concrete flooring is not perfectly level, but has ridges, indentations and depressions in its surface.

Referring now particularly to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the numeral I2 designates an undercoating of emulsied asphalt, or other suitable plastic coating material, which is applied directly upon the troweled upper surface of the concrete sub-floor Il, and I3 designates leveling strips of thin flexible metal which are held in position by the cushioning coating I2. The cushioning coat I2 is preferably comparatively thin, as for example, about one-eighth inch in thickness, and emulsied asphalt is preferred because it has been found to possess the desired cushioning and plastic qualities, while its exposed surface remains slightly tacky for a period long enough to ordinarily complete the laying of terrazzo floors. It is to be understood, however, that other thick viscous materials may also be used.

The leveling strips I3 are formed of thin flexible ribbons of any suitable material, with staggered lugs I4 struck up from opposite sides with their inner edges spaced from the center line of the strip a sufficient distance to form between vthe lugs a slot in which may be conveniently positioned a substantially vertical divider strip I5. The flexibility of the leveling strips I3 enables these strips to closely follow the surface of the cushion coat I2, whereby the leveling strips will remain in contact with the cushion coat despite depressions, slight ridges, etc., in the sub-floor I I. However, the vertically positioned divider strips I5 will be substantially rigid in a vertical plane, and accordingly will bridge across depressions and engage the leveling strips only at their higher points. This is beneficial in enabling the maintenance of a substantially uniform upper level of the divider strips I5, despite unevenness in the sub-floor II, and since the cushion coating I2 will flow into and follow the depressions in the sub-oor II there is always maintained intimate contact between the terrazzo flooring and the concrete sub-Hoor through the cushion coat. The leveling strips I3 and the divider strips I5 carried thereby may be arranged in any desired positions, and at appropriate distances to meet all ordinary requirements for terrazzo and like floors. In Figure 1, I have shown the usual arrangement with divider strips at right angles to each other. In this arrangement the longitudinal leveling strips I 3 are placed in parallel rows and the cross strips cut to size and placed between the longitudinal rows. Similarly the longitudinal divider strips I5 may be kept in long lengths and the cross strips cut to suitable short lengths. In so placing the leveling strips I3 the tackiness of the cushion coat I2 will serve to maintain them in position if they are superposed upon the cushion coat within a reasonable time. However, should it happen that the upper surface of the cushion coat has hardened to the extent that it is no longer tacky before the leveling strips are applied, it is only Vnecessary to treat the undersurface of the leveling strips with fresh emulsied asphalt or the like and then apply the strips to the cushion coat I2. Emulsied asphalt particularly has the quality of cohesion, and when leveling strips are so treated therewith it has been found that they will soon be firmly secured to the cushion coat. l

An alternative placing of these leveling strips is to rst treat them with emulsied asphalt and apply them directly to the sub-floor before the cushion coating I2 is applied, then press the divider strips I5 in the central slots of the leveling strips, and then apply the cushion coating I2 between the divider strips. In this method the leveling strips I3 are practically covered by the cushion coat and the lower portions of the divider strips contacted by the cushion coating I2. Such modication is shown in Figure 4. By applying the plastic cushion coat material to the sides of the dividing strip as well as on the surfaceof the leveling strip each panel can be completely isolated from the adjacent panels thereby making each panel or section an individual unit.

In both of these methods the terrazzo topping I6, or similar wearing surface is applied directly upon the upper surface of the cushion coating I2 between the divider strips I5.' Such wearing surface may be made according to the usual specications or in any other suitable manner. Since the upper surfaces of the divider strips I5 are substantially level, they serve as a gauge for the application of the terrazzo material, and obviously various thicknesses of terrazzo material may be applied at will, the height of the divider strips I5 being varied accordingly. Since the cushion coating I2 relieves the terrazzo topping when heavy objects are rolled or dropped thereupon, and also separates the terrazzo topping from the concrete sub-floor to prevent transmission of cracks from the sub-floor, it is also obvious that with my improved method a thinner layer of terrazzo topping may safely be applied. 'I'he upper surface of the terrazzo topping may be finished in the usual or any desired manner, the upper portions of the divider strips I5 being simultaneously ground and polished during finishing operations.

In Figures 5 to 8 is shown a similar construction of terrazzo flooring to that in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, except thata modified construction of leveling strip |321 is employed and decorative configurations are illustrated therein. In this embodiment the leveling strips I3a are formed with spaced struck-up portions I4 formed by separating the sides only of such portions from the strip and then expanding such lug portions into arches, substantially as shown in Figure 6. The inner edges of the lug portions IIIa are spaced from each other a suitable distance to form a central slot for the reception of the vertical divider strips I5. In this manner the divider strips are somewhat more firmly positioned than with the form of strip shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

In Figures 9 to l1 inclusive is shown a further modification of leveling strip, I3", wherein stag-v gered lugs Ilib are punched from the sides of the leveling strip and bent upwardly substantially as shown to form staggered substantially vertical lugs with their inner faces spaced from each other a suitable distance to form a substantially central slot in the leveling strip for the reception of the vertically positioned divider strip I5. With this embodiment the entire face of the struckup lug engages the divider strip I5 alternately on opposite sides and so rigidly holds the divider strip in place.

In all of these embodiments, the leveling strips I3, |321, or I 3b, may be arranged to support the divider strips I5 in any desired configurations, various curves being readily applicable, as well as straight lined figures. To more readily permit curving the leveling strips, notches may be cut in the appropriate side edges of the leveling strips, and the flexibility of the material of the leveling strips, as well as the spacing of the upstanding lugs thereon, materially aid in quickly and conveniently forming the desired configurations. After the leveling strips have been properly shaped and positioned, the divider strips are merely bent to the desired shape and inserted in the central slots of the leveling strips, the upstanding lugs on the leveling strips serving to maintain the divider strips in such curved positions. The divider strips are preferably formed of brass, bronze, aluminum or like material, and being comparatively thin in section may be readily bent to the desired configurations.

From the above it will be apparent that my improved method of constructing terrazzo and like floors provides for quickly and economically laying such floors directly upon suitable subfloors, and moreover, the terrazzo topping or other wearing surface thereof will be less susceptible to cracking and adapted to withstand heavy usage. The cushion coating arranged between the sub-floor and terrazzo topping acts as a shock absorber, prevents the `transmission of cracks from the sub-floor to the topping, and also permits expansion and contraction of individual panels of the topping or of substantial portions of the iiooring without detrimentally affecting the remainder or separating the topping from the sub-floor.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiments of my invention herein disclosed are well calculated to adequately fulfill the objects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change Within the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method of laying terrazzo floors upon sub-floors which consists of first applying a cushion coat of plastic material directly upon the sub-iioor, then laying flexible slotted leveling strips fiat upon the cushion coating in desired configurations, then positioning vertical divider strips in the slots of the leveling strips and across any unevennesses in the leveling strips, and then laying the terrazzo topping upon the cushion coating between the divider strips.

2. Terrazzo flooring comprising a sub-iioor, a cushion coating of material that will remain tacky for considerable time laid upon the subfloor and arranged to follow unevennesses therein, flexible leveling strips held in desired positions by and arranged substantially flat upon the cushion coating and provided with spaced upstanding lugs arranged in such manner as not to interfere with the flexibility of said strips, divider strips held in substantially vertical positions by the lugs of the leveling strips but otherwise unsecured thereto, and terrazzo topping laid upon the cushion coating between the divider strips.

3. Terrazzo flooring comprising an unleveled sub-floor, a cushion coating of plastic material laid upon the sub-floor and arranged to follow unevennesses therein, spaced flexible slotted leveling strips positioned by and arranged substantially flat upon the cushion coating to follow unevenness therein, divider strips substantially rigid in a vertical plane mounted in the slots of the leveling strips after positioning of the latterand bridging over depressions in said leveling strips below a desired level, and terrazzo topping laid upon the cushion coating between the divider strips.

4. Terrazzo flooring comprising an unleveled sub-licor, a cushion coating of plastic material laid upon the sub-floor and arranged to follow unevennesses therein, spaced flexible slotted leveling strips positioned by and arranged substantially at upon the cushion coating to follow unevenness therein, the slots being formed in the leveling strips by spaced upstanding lugs struck from the leveling strips in such manner as not to interfere with the flexibility of said strips and having their inner edges spaced apart, divider strips Substantially rigid in a vertical plane positioned in the slots of the leveling strips after laying the latter and engaging the leveling strips only at the higher points thereof, and terrazzo topping laid upon the cushion coating between the divider strips.

"HENRY F. WIEGER. 

